On this day
A look through the Barbers' Company archive and library to highlight important and interesting events during the Company's history.
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On this day in 1560, the Company obtained an Inspeximus charter from Queen Elizabeth I. Written in Latin on parchment, it confirms the rights and privileges of the Company as given in previous charters. A translation follows: Elizabeth by the grace of God Queen of England, France and Ireland Defender of the Faith etc, to […]
January 30, 2023
On this Day
On this day in 1745, the Court minutes record the desire of the Surgeons to separate from the Barbers. This day the Gentlemen on the Surgeons side having made known at this Court their desire of being Separated from the Gentlemen on the Barbers and that each may be made a distinct and independent Body […]
December 12, 2022
On this Day
On 13th December 1308 Richard le Barbour was elected Master of the Company and presented to the Court of Aldermen at Guildhall. The event is recorded in the Corporation of London’s Letter Book C, folio 96, now stored at London Metropolitan Archives. An image of the entry in the Letter Book is on […]
December 12, 2022
On this Day
On 24 November 1740 William Duell, who had been hanged at Tyburn for sexually assaulting Sarah Griffin, revived on the anatomy table in the Anatomy Theatre at Barber-Surgeons’ Hall. The Old Bailey’s account of Duell’s trial can be read here. This was not the first time someone had revived on the anatomy table. An entry […]
November 22, 2022
On this Day
On this day in 1997, the long case clock in the Reception Room at Barber-Surgeons’ Hall chimed multiple times during a Committee meeting. BEHAPM William Shand described the event during his oral history interview. The extract can be listened to here and a transcript is provided below. Transcript: Now, another memory I have deals with […]
November 16, 2022
On this Day
On this day in 1631 the Court decided that a separate anatomy room should be built. The entry in the Court minute book reads: Also this Court taking notice of the lack of a private dissection room for anatomical employment and that hitherto the bodies have been a great annoyance to the tables, dresser boards and utensils in […]
October 20, 2022
On this Day
On this day in 1965 the Court of The Barbers’ Company met at Tallow Chandlers’ Hall. The Clerk reported with deep regret the death of Past Master J. P. Denny on the 19th September 1965 aged 96. He had been a member of the Livery for 75 years. The Court stood in silence as a […]
October 25, 2022
On this Day
On this day in 1606 Percivall Jackson was committed to the Compter for several “contempts to this house”. Percivall Jackson was admitted to the Company on 22 January 1604 having been the apprentice of Randulph Pyatt. He was licensed to open his shop on 12 February 1604. Jackson appears a few times in the volume […]
September 26, 2022
On this Day
As well as recording all the decisions taken by the Court to administer the Company, the Court minutes reveal glimpses in to daily life, for example, on this day in 1727 the weather was so hot that Court members were allowed to sit without wearing their gowns. […]
October 31, 2022
On this Day
On this day in 1596, Sir Peter Proby was made a Liveryman of the Company. Proby was admitted to the Freedom in 1579, became an Assistant in 1609 and was Master in 1615. He held a number of City offices – Sheriff of London in 1614, Alderman of the Ward of Queenhithe, and Lord Mayor […]
September 26, 2022
On this Day